Page 19 of Shakedown in Savannah

“How has it been trashed?” Mercedes asked.

“We suggest you go check it out. Like I said, Mr. Garlucci left it in less than ideal condition.”

Tony took the papers from his mother and began reading them. “I say let Mr. Lombardo have the property and we call it a wash.”

“I can present the offer,” Costanza said. “However, I believe he’ll decline accepting the property as payment and the contract will remain intact.”

“But Vinnie is dead. Surely, your boss won’t hold me to this agreement, an agreement made without my knowledge,” Carlita said.

“You signed for it, Ma.” Tony made an unhappy sound. “And, according to this, the debt passes to Pops’ heirs.”

“As you can see by the purchase price, plus expenses and added interest, a five hundred thousand dollar payment is reasonable. On top of the loan and interest, there is the issue of the taxes which, as I already stated, have been kept current.”

“Reasonable?” Mercedes gasped. “Half a million bucks for a property we haven’t seen and had no idea even existed?”

“And if we refuse to pay?” Tony asked.

Costanza cracked his knuckles, his expression growing grim. “It won’t end well. Mr. Lombardo will ensure his business dealings are satisfied, no matter what the cost.”

“Meaning, if we don’t agree to the terms, bad things could happen to me or my family.” Carlita’s voice was barely above a whisper, the implications of what might happen starting to sink in.

“You. Your family.” Enzo shoved his hands in his pockets. “You got a really nice place here. It would be a shame to have something bad happen to it.”

Tony clenched his fists, his eyes flashing with anger. “I wouldn’t try it.”

Enzo arched a brow, an amused look on his face. “Are you threatening us?”

Carlita, afraid her son and Enzo would start throwing punches, held up her hand. “What exactly does Mr. Lombardo want?”

“He wants his money, all cash. The second option is to make payments.”

For a moment, Carlita thought maybe there was a way out of this. She could handle payments, depending on the terms. “A contract with terms clearly spelled out?”

“Yes. In fact, I have a copy.” Costanza handed her a second envelope.

Carlita slipped her reading glasses on and pulled the papers out. Her heart plummeted. “Fifty percent of profits off the top.”

“For all three businesses combined,” Enzo said. “Until the debt is paid in full. Of course, every day it’s not paid in full adds additional interest. Again, there is also a separate amount due regarding taxes paid.”

“This is downright robbery,” Mercedes said. “We would never pay the loan off.”

“Eventually.” Enzo shrugged. “And then we need to discuss the matter of offering our services to protect your current income-producing properties.”

Carlita’s throat went dry. “Offering your services?”

“For a fee, of course.” Costanza smiled. Not a friendly smile, but more like an evil grin.

“My family and I need to discuss this.” Carlita, thinking she could take out a business loan, using the restaurant or pawn shop as collateral, would solve their problem. Lombardo would get his money and go away.

She could take the property, sell it and help pay off the debt. Maybe there was a way out after all. “Give us a few days to figure this out.”

“There’s no figuring it out. You have twenty-four hours to come up with the cash or sign the agreement, paying 50% of your profits,” Costanza said. “As already mentioned, Mr. Lombardo has also generously offered personal protection for your businesses.”

“I don’t need personal protection, not to mention I can’t get this kind of money in twenty-four hours. I mean, maybe I can.” Perhaps her friend Tori Montgomery could loan her the money. But then, Tori would have her cash tied up as well. Would any bank on the planet give her a half a million in a day?

Lombardo was offering terms no one could meet unless they had piles of cash just lying around. Obviously, his plan was for her to pay him a large, ridiculous sum. If not, something told her they were in trouble. Big trouble.

Chapter 7

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